School’s out and kids are looking forward to lazy days, action packed-adventures, summer sports, water play and exploration. Mom in the Know has some tips on making this summer a fun one. Make sure that you have this year’s must haves ready before the last school bell rings.

Start with a bucket list

Work together to make a family summer bucket list using materials you have readily available at home. It can be as simple as a pad and paper. You could also use sand pails, clothes pins, popsicle sticks or jars and paper. Post it notes also work well for this. Leave the bucket in a place where everyone can see it and add to it as they please.

Make Active Easy

Make sure your kids stay active this summer by keeping outdoor sports and fun equipment close at hand. I leave all of the essentials just outside my door in a big basket. You could include

The Basics

With the onset of the warm weather comes bug season. Little pests of all kinds wreak havoc on our early summer outings, play dates and get togethers. Don’t distress. A few quick tips will help you to keep the bugs and bay and get you on your way to enjoying a glorious start to the summer season.

Mosquitos love dark clothing and they love yoga style, tight pants. To deter the bugs, wear long, light baggy clothing in light or white colours. Choose long pants and long sleeves when you can.

Did you know that blackflies gravitate to the highest point of your body – behind your ears and neck? If you get caught in an area where there are quite a few blackflies buzzing around, put your hand in the air. The flies will go to your hand where they are not likely to bite.

In the Yard

The best way to keep the inset population in check is to plant an organic garden and flowers to attract birds and other insects that will eat the bugs. Songbirds feed loads of insects to their young and to themselves. Woodpeckers and other cavity nesters such as nuthatches, and chickadees also eat insects. Remember the Basicstoads, snakes, bats, dragonflies and spiders and you have a great defense against the summertime bugs.

*The best bloom to attract songbirds in cornflower. Hummingbirds love coral bells. Along with the organic garden, you may want to consider planting insect repelling herbs such as lavender, thyme, mint and citronella near the patios and use fresh plants as bug repellent in a pinch.

Here are a couple of great recipes for natural bug repellents.

MOSQUITO YARD SPRAY

Big bottle Blue cheap mouthwash

3 cups of Epsom salts

3 stale 12 oz cheap beer

Mix those three ingredients together until salt is dissolved and spray anywhere you sit outside. It will not harm plants or flowers.

NATURAL BUG REPELLENT CANDLE

2 lemon wedges

2 lime wedges

Mason jar with water

fresh rosemary

7-10 drops of lavender essential oils

floating candle

Ticks have emerged as a real problem lately. Kids love playing in the leaves and grasses that can be heavily populated with ticks which can cause Lyme disease. Make sure your kids are covered up if they are out playing or walking in wooded areas. If you think you have been exposed to ticks, be sure to check for tick bites on your scalp, ankles, armpits, , l and behind your ears and knees. Wash yourself right away and launder your clothing including drying in a hot dryer. Don’t forget to check your pets.

To remove an attached tick use fine-tipped tweezers or tick remover (can be purchased at most pet stores) at the surface of the skin as soon as you notice it. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. If tweezers are not available use a tissue to protect your fingers as exposure to tick fluids may lead to transmission of disease. Try not to twist the tick because you do not want to break it and leave any parts in the skin. Do NOT burn the tick off with a match or lighter. Do NOT try to suffocate the tick with petroleum jelly or oil – this will cause the tick to regurgitate its infected guts and saliva into your body increasing your chance of getting the disease

Let’s not forget the fruit flies. The best way to avoid the flies or course is to keep fresh produce covered and sealed. If you do happen to get a few in your kitchen, try this quickand easy recipe and can be left on the counter to collect the flies.

The one thing every mom wants forMother’s Dayis more time with her kids. Whether that means going for a family hike, planting flowers or baking a cake, the experiences you share create lasting memories. Include a thoughtful gift to remind her of the day and you have the perfect Mother’s Day plan.

Plant a Garden

Does your mom have a green thumb? Indulge her love for gardening with a day spent in the dirt. Come prepared with a thoughtful selection of seeds and bulbs.

After you’ve tended the flowers, take a break to drink some lemonade and present Mom with some beautiful Gardenering Hand Cream from Terra 20.

Have a Picnic

Recapture old traditions with a picnic in the park. Good food and some fun games are all you need for a wonderful afternoon with mom. Need some help with a few goodies or a perfect gift? Thyme and Again has a beautiful selection of gift baskets, napkins and scrumptious treats for you Mom.

Go for a HikeThe mom who loves the great outdoors won’t say no to a hike, so go ahead and hit the trail. Explore the Gatineau Hills or stick to your own neighbourhood. Is Mom and avid hiker? She will love one of these beautiful daypacks from Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Take a Bike Ride

There’s nothing like a leisurely bike ride on Mother’s Day. Our city is full of lovely bike paths and green spaces for you to enjoy together. Gather the family for a ride and don’t forget the bike-friendly gifts, like this sweet bike basket from Bushtukah.

Bake Something Together

For moms who love to bake, a date in the kitchen (with help from her family sous chefs) will be an experience to treasure. Pick up all the ingredients in advance, and don’t forget to take notes on her techniques for making the greatest treats of all time. For the perfect gift, consider a delightful new apron from Kitchenalia.

Making Super Soapy Play dough

Ingredients:

Directions:

2.Slowly add water until a workable dough is formed. You are adding the water to work towards a well combined consistency. If the dough becomes too sticky, add a little more flour.

Idea! This recipe makes a little less than three cups. Make more colours and give to your friends.

Magic Messaging

Send your friends an invisible message or picture using this Magic paint.

Ingredients:

1Tbsp baking soda

2 tbsp water

6-8 drops food colouring

Directions:

1.Mix 1tbsp of water and 1 tbsp of baking soda together.

2.Dip your paintbrush into the mixture and write your message or create your picture on a sheet of paper.

3.Let the message completely dry

4.To divulge your message, mix together the remaining 1tbsp water and food colouring in a bowl. Using a brush and the coloured mixture, paint over the Magic message. Your message will be revealed.

Idea

Use the Magic Messages and make cards for special occasions.

Water Colours

Create your own water colours using water and food colouring. You can adjust the lightness and darkness of the colours by experimenting how many drops to add

Magic Milk

Fill the bottom of a bowl with milk. Spread a few drops of food colouring around the bowl. Be sure it remains on top. Use different colours if you would like. Add a drop of dish detergent and watch the laws of emulsification at work. The dish water breaks down the fat in the milk just like it breaks down the grease on our dishes.

Erupting volcano and blowing up a balloon

Items you will need

Vinegar

Baking Soda

Food colouring if you choose

Balloon

Funnel

Plate

Directions

Errupting Volcano

Place vinegar in the in the bottom of your jar/glass or vase add 8-10 drops of food colouring. Put your chosen vessel on a plate to catch the volcano. Add up to two tablespoons of baking soda depending on the vessel you choose to experiment with and watch your volcano erupt.

Blowing up a Balloon

Choose an old plastic soda bottle. Fill the bottom with a cup of vinegar.

Using a funnel add a tablespoon of baking soda into the balloon. Put the mouth of the balloon over the soda bottle making sure the soda does not spill into the vinegar. When you are ready, put the balloon upwards and let the baking soda fall into the bottle. Enjoy the results.

Making Crystal Creations

Items You will Need

Large Jar (take a look through your recycle bin)

Borax

Pipe Cleaners

Pencil

String

Water

Food colouring

Directions

1.Fill the jar with boiling water.

2.Pour Borax into the jar one spoonful at a time until it no longer dissolves and settles on the bottom of the jar.

3.Stir in 10-12 drops of food colouring

4.Use a pipe cleaner and create shapes or forms.

5.Tie one end of the string around the pipe cleaner creation and the other around the pencil.

6.Place the pencil on the jar lid so the pipe cleaner is suspended in the middle of the Borax solution.